Beer… a beverage that is universally appreciated at almost all levels of society. Though likely the most consumed alcoholic beverage on the planet (at least by volume – this turned out to be a tough statistic to nail down, even on wikipedia, the best definitive answer I could find was here, not exactly science!), beer is still an under appreciated product when it comes to foodies.

I’ve never met anyone who didn’t enjoy a nice cold beer with a cheeseburger (I’ve obviously never met a non-drinker or a vegetarian in my life), but that aside, beer seems to fall through the cracks whenever any non-tailgate foods are introduced. For the record, and for your review… a few ponderings about how you can enjoy beer, without the burger…Beer

Beer-Chocolate Pairings for Winter
Did you know that dark, dense chocolate desserts often pair best with the dry bitterness of darker beers like stouts and porters?  Though most people have gravitated toward pairing wine with chocolate, different beer styles actually bring out completely different flavors in the sweet, creating incredible taste pairings.

Don’t Artichoke on that Food Pairing
One of the best ways to cut the heat and accentuate the exotic tastes of Asian cuisine is by sipping a European-style pilsner. Many people try a number of white wines, generally failing in the attempt. Though many wouldn’t reach for beer at first, it really is the best of pairings. Artichokes present another example of  a classic wine-pairing problem, often making even fine wines appear sweet or bland.  Turns our, a hoppier beer with a bracing bitterness (such as an English-style pale ale) will actually maintain the perfect balance when eating the difficult artichoke… go on enjoying your butter-dipped leaves!

Belgian Beer Traditions – Belgian Pouring Ritual
Pint glass?  Tulip-shaped glass? Traditional pub-style  glass?  Match your beer styles with the proper glassware and pouring techniques to fully experience the diverse flavors of what beer has to offer. Just like wine, stemware is essential to the experience of drinking a beer. Many people are still just drinking from a can. Why not learn more about the Belgian Pouring Ritual, a multi-step process that ensures that beer maintains its foam, aroma and flavor. You wouldn’t just drink Petrus from the bottle would you?
So.. beer, reconsider it in your foodie world. I’m just sayin’

-bryan